Day: February 9, 2026

China’s economy is slowing dramatically under Xi Jinping’s leadership, but this may not be a failure—it’s deliberate. Prosperity is no longer the top goal; absolute Party control is. By crushing private giants like Alibaba and Tencent through golden shares and regulations, Xi has eliminated independent power centers that threatened regime security. Deflation and downturns are tolerated—even welcomed—because they drive people toward secure government jobs, concentrating resources in state hands.This “birdcage economy” prioritizes political reliability over growth, redirecting funds to state firms, military tech, and war-ready industries. Innovation suffers under tight control, yet Xi bets digital tools can make a modern planned economy work where the Soviet Union failed.The cost: a shrinking middle class, lost vitality, and a society designed for survival, not thriving. In the name of eternal red rule, China is trading wealth and freedom for fortified control.

China Update provides the most up to date political, economic, and geopolitical news and analysis on China. Videos are based on hundreds of articles, think tank reports, government statements and other resources in English and Chinese. China Update is fully independent and I make the videos. X (Formerly Twitter): / tonychinaupdate Channel email: [email protected]:00 Introduction00:12 Jimmy Lai Sentenced to 20 Years02:01 Chinese Economy: Lunar New Year Cash Crunch03:24 Tech War: Humanoid Robots 07:15 PRC Connected Cars: “Smartphones on Wheels”

The purge of two top Generals in China has been attributed to an ongoing anti-corruption drive ordered by the country’s President Xi Jinping. Gen Zhang Youxia & Gen Liu Zhenli are no ordinary names. Gen Youxia was the vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, a powerful body that controls the military. Gen Liu Zhenli was the PLA’s Chief of Staff. That leaves the Commission with just two members—Xi Jinping and Gen Zhang Shengmin. All others, who were handpicked by Xi, have been booted out. “This is politics at the highest level, and politics in Communist China can be ruthless,” says China specialist Vijay Gokhale. In this interview with StratNews Global Editor-in-Chief Nitin A. Gokhale, the former Foreign Secretary shares his views on what may have led to such a drastic move.#china #xijinping #PLA #peoplesliberationarmy #chinesemilitary #anticorruptiondrive #chinesecommunistparty

Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss Japan’s historic election, strengthening U.S.-Japan ties amid rising threats from China and the looming DHS shutdown in Congress.

​Taiwan Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s election win, saying she hopes it will lead to closer ties between the two sides.

A key treaty aimed at curbing nuclear deployments and limiting nuclear threats around the globe has just expired. President Donald Trump rejected an offer from his Russian counterpart to extend it. Why? And what comes next?The United States says Beijing has conducted a secret nuclear test. Here’s more on Trump’s plan, as the United States faces growing nuclear threats from both China and Russia.Thomas DiNanno, under secretary for arms control and international security: “China remains on track to have over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030, and Russia is supporting this buildup.”Preparations are mounting ahead of a possible attack on Taiwan. The United States has successfully tested new attack drones as it strengthens military cooperation with Taiwan. Meanwhile, China is unveiling new hypersonic missiles.00:00 Intro01:09 Trump Rejects Putin Offer to Extend New START Nuclear Treaty03:10 U.S.: China Has Conducted Secret Nuclear Testing05:23 Copley on Bringing China Under New Nuclear Control07:10 Nuclear Treaty Fails to Constrain China’s Growth: Copley09:37 Trump-Xi Deal Carries Long-Term Risks: Copley11:16 U.S., Taiwan Successfully Test New Jet Attack Drone12:19 China Develops Hypersonic Missile for Drones, Aircraft13:36 U.S. Boosts Rare Earth Output, Reduces China Reliance14:22 Democrat Senators Ask for SpaceX Probe15:26 Ikea Shuts Down 7 Major Stores in China16:11 Japan Election: Key Things to Watch This Sunday19:49 TSMC to Make Advanced AI Semiconductors in JapanOne of our viewers asks whether America is building facilities to refine rare earth minerals to reduce reliance on China’s supply chain. We break it down.

“When I looked at him, I saw fear in his eyes. His eyelids were moving. He was alive,” recounted the whistleblower Dr. George Zheng.His testimony is featured in the harrowing documentary “State Organs,” directed by Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Raymond Zhang.A powerful film that exposes the brutal reality of China’s forced organ harvesting industry, the documentary follows two families’ decades-long search for their disappeared loved ones. It’s a story of tragedy and brutal inhumanity, but also faith and redemption.It seems the film hit such a nerve in Beijing that theaters in Taiwan received threatening letters and even bomb threats ahead of film screenings.In this special episode, I sat down with director Raymond Zhang to hear about his incredible journey of making this film and what he uncovered along the way.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has won a snap election with a historic mandate and a large legislative majority in the Diet’s lower house for her Liberal Democratic Party. It is a result experts say could strengthen ties between Japan, the US and Taiwan.

Why are citizens of China saying “Beijing is doomed”? Two weeks after Zhang Youxia’s fall, Beijing remains silent. Western analysts say Xi Jinping is firmly in control—but many in the Chinese diaspora see a dangerous power struggle unfolding behind the scenes. From Party elders and princelings to what Beijing isn’t saying, this episode explains why the West keeps misreading China’s politics—and why the CCP’s internal fractures may make the regime more volatile, not less.

China’s Type 076 amphibious assault ship has been frequently leaving dry docks and embarking on a new round of sea trials. Many have called it a “game changer” and even claimed it could replace traditional aircraft carriers.

China’s economy isn’t just slowing down — it’s eating itself alive to survive.In this episode of China Uncensored, Chris Chappell breaks down how China’s local governments are running out of money as land sales collapse, debt explodes, and revenue dries up. To stay afloat, officials are selling off future income, auctioning public assets, squeezing the private sector, and even using police to confiscate money in the name of “law enforcement.”From selling school cafeterias and parking spaces to retroactively demanding decades-old taxes and “ocean fishing” raids across provinces, China’s economic survival tactics are making the situation even worse. And as debt piles up and confidence collapses, even China’s own official data can’t hide how bad things have gotten.So the next time you hear about how strong China’s economy is, remember: when the tiger is hungry, the lamb doesn’t get a vote.

Operation Honey Pot: Paste this emoji 🍯 in your comment below.Thousands of Chinese “fishing boats” recently began moving in precise military-style formations in the East China Sea. They weren’t fishing. They were forming massive lines hundreds of miles long—and staying there for hours.